Cole Fitzgerald proved every day that his survival is nothing short of a miracle and he would never let his past cancer diagnosis determine his future. When Cole was nearly 3-years-old, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma. He was given weeks to live at diagnosis and his long-term prognosis if he survived treatment was very grim. Even at a young age, Cole tolerated his treatment and countless tests with smiles and an acceptance of all of the new people that were helping to save his life. Cole celebrated 15 years of an incredible cancer free life pursuing all of his dreams and in 2022, became a cum laude honors graduate of Washington Township High School. He also served as a student assistant coach for Washington Township Youth Football and served 4 years as a coaching assistant at Washington Township High School. His work with both organizations was so impressive that there are 2 annual awards at the Youth Football and High School level established in his name – The Cole Fitzgerald Most Inspirational Player Award - due to his devotion and support of both programs. He attended Bunker Hill Middle School where he was one of the inaugural People’s Choice Award winners for always exhibiting a positive, can-do attitude despite having multiple disabilities and being a childhood cancer survivor of Stage 4 Neuroblastoma.
Cole received a generous scholarship to attend Temple University which fulfilled his dream to go to a D1 Football school. In June 2022 just after graduation, he was hired to be part of the Temple Owls Equipment Staff as an incoming freshman and enjoyed that role until August when he was diagnosed with Metastatic Pancreatoblastoma. He also attended Temple full time while he was in treatment achieving a 3.5 GPA.
Cole was also a proud Student Leader Ambassador for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation along with his family since age 6. He spent a considerable amount of his childhood, along with his family, raising funds, awareness and speaking to sponsors about the importance of funding Childhood Cancer research. For the last 9 years, Cole appeared on the CBS3 Alex’s Lemonade Telethon with his family to share his journey and to inspire others to donate to the cause.
Cole earned his Black Belt in Kickboxing at age 11 and was a hard-working student throughout his academic career. At WTHS, Cole was on Executive Class Council for 4 years and inducted in National Honor Society as a junior. There was never an obstacle that he could not overcome, and he did it all with a smile. He knew more about football strategy than any NFL coach and dreamed of one day working full time as a professional coach. He never complained about why he developed cancer for a second time after his successful battle fought at age 3. While all his achievements are impressive for such a young man, to know Cole was to love him. Cole was a friend to everyone he met, and he was always his authentic self. He possessed an incredible sense of humor, loved to banter, and talk about football and WWE/AEW wrestling and was quick to tell others that he loved them. He had a genuine concern for others and enjoyed cheering on his sisters in their own endeavors. He was a born and bred passionate Philadelphia Eagles, Phillies, and Flyers fan.
In his last gift to the advancement of science and targeted cures, Cole is donating all of his tumor tissue to CHOP and to Memorial Sloan Kettering so he may help these 2 incredible institutions find a cure for rare cancers and hopefully save others.
We will miss him forever.